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✨ Chapter 54: A Breath Apart

The faint rustle of leaves outside, distant morning birds, and the cold marble under Meenal’s feet.

The haveli’s stillness lingered even after Rajveer carried Arun away. The neem leaves swayed again, birds called at dawn—but for Meenal, silence was no longer peace. It was an accusation.

She stood in the courtyard, pallu clutched tight. Servants slipped past at a distance, heads bowed—yet Meenal felt they all heard Arun’s voice echo: “But Baba, you don’t love Maa.”

Later, she withdrew to the zenana. A silver tray of tea and fruit lay untouched. Rita shifted uneasily, waiting for a command, while Meenal sat unmoving, Arun’s words still echoing in her mind.

Her stomach twisted, as though his small voice had carved out a truth she dared not face.

She sat by the window, eyes fixed on the courtyard where Rajveer had stood. Her fingers traced the carved armrest—nervous, betraying her calm—then stilled them, ashamed.

At last, she whispered, almost to herself, “Rita… do you think something has changed between Thakur Shahab and me?”

Rita shook her head quickly, heart pounding. She prayed Meenal would never know what she had done that night—the milk, the secret—that had bound the couple in ways she never meant.